What does it mean to be signed to a record label?
If you sign to a label they don't really pay for anything. Some labels will give you a lump sum (called an advance) that you use to fund the recording of the album (including the recording hours), its production and distribution. They then get the money back off you by keeping your royalties until its paid off. They make profit on every CD sold while you make back a smaller percentage. The advance is basically a loan. No record labels are prepared to pay out now either. They prefer to look for people who produce their own music, then they agree to distribute it so long as they can keep the money. Each deal is different but the label always looks after itself, not the artist. People on larger labels like Leona Lewis get the album paid for automatically but they make no money, no royalties, nothing at all from it. Totally slave labour. If you do everything independently you own everything and you keep everything. Distribution is easy with companies like CD Baby around and having your own website to deal from. Although you'll need some money to make your CD, at least you're not selling your children to pay back a label. Until someone's prepared to give you a deal where you won't lose the rights to all your music then stay away from it. Lots of bands are doing fine without label involvement now ;)
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO SIGN UP FOR A RECORD LABEL?
Hello there, You can play in a band at any age. So if your cousin is good enough let her in. As for signing with a record label. The first answer is sort of right, but not exactly right. The record company will have you sign a contract with them. Anyone, of any age, who is mentally competent, may sign a contract. However, if you are under the age of 18, you may elect to break most contracts. The idea of a contract is to lock you into a commitment with that record label. If you can elect to break the contract at any time, you are not locked in. People over the age of 18, cannot elect go get out of the contract. So for minors, people under the age of 18, the record company will require your parents to sign on your behalf. Of course, record company does not have to involve your parents and can have you sign. But it will not do that because the company wants a contract that you cannot elect to break. later,
How can you get a demo signed at a record label in the UK?
Thanks for the A2A- Let's break this down a bit further. What are your expectations from a label? What are you main objectives as an artist? How big is your following, by which I mean, social media aside, how many live bodies can you get to see you at a live show within 500 miles of your hometown on any given day? This is a very different climate than the romanticized era of A&R men scouring live clubs for hot bands or listening to desks-full of demos in label offices and signing artists in droves. It used to be that if a band was good and made a good demo the label would sign them, give them an advance and the band would record an album. Those days have been gone for a very long time. Now you you have to a professionally produced album and a strong following of actual people who have consistently turned up to gigs, not just social media numbers (though strong SM numbers help, too). The band I managed, Noughts and Exes, were the top indie band in Hong Kong. They played countless big festivals, they were known for their creative videos and photographs, and were screened at major film festivals. It wasn't until after they had a #1 song and a viral video (their song "Hearts") that major labels took notice. This was after myself and previous managers spent a good amount of time doing our due diligence with indie labels and working to get the band signed. Essentially, everything you used to get once you were signed you need to have in order to even stand a chance of getting the attention of a label. Sure, there are the occasional outliers, but they are very few and far between. Now, the good news is you don't really need a label. The band I used to manage played major festivals, made incredible videos, were screened at film festival, had a #1 single, and a viral video witout one. Other artists have done the same and more. Yes, you're going to have to be organized and hire a team (manager and PR rep at the very least), you're also in control and won't be met with the word signed artists learn to hate most: Recoupment. Should you wish to pursue labels, make a list of labels you like and are suited to your music. From there, go to their website and check the 'About' section. Almost always they'll have their submission info. Some labels welcome submissions, some do at certain times of year, some don't allow unsolicited submissions. Sorting through it all takes time but that's what you do.
New song good enough for record label?
It is. People are sending in things that aren't even close to that in recording quality. I am going to critique you guys a little though on the mix, and this is just personal preference. The rhythm guitar is too "out there". Need to bring it down a couple of notches. Need more bass. I don't like the hard panned vocals. I prefer it all down the middle. Again, personal preference. They are little too out there too. I would prefer it be more "in the mix". Great job on the actual sound though (especially the drums).
Why do musicians need record labels?
Because record labels have connections to a couple of things that indies don’t necessarily have:Money. They can finance the production and distribution of the album. They have the money for billboards, ads, internet advertising, Youtube ads, etc. etc. etc. to get that band’s music heard far and wide.Connections. Record labels have the IN with the radio industry to get a song/album into circulation/playlists on radios nationwide. Pay to play on the radio is still definitely a thing no matter what people say. Also, they have connections to other more famous acts that that smaller band can tour with. They have connections to more famous album producers who can take that song and make it more radio-friendly, give it a better hook/earworm and format the album so it’s more cohesive and listenable all in one go.With that said, however, if the artist has genuine talent and a little money to put into promotion themselves and if they have their own connections to get their music on the radio (all of which Chance had) and they tour a lot, then they absolutely can achieve just as much success. You need three things: an agent (to book your shows), a manager (to manage your $, business affairs and help make decisions about everything) and a publicist (to promote you). With those three, you might be able to skip being part of a major label.Downsides of working with a label: all that money the label spends to put together your album and promote you? You pay it back to them through album sales. And you don’t get a dime (unless it’s also borrowed in the form of an advance) until after that debt is paid off.Second downside: That album you put together with them? They have the right to dump it and dump you, but ALSO forbid you from going to another label contractually. It’s total BS, but it happens ALL THE TIME. Some young artist gets picked up, signs a contract and the label decides to pass on actually doing anything with them, thus leaving them in a legal limbo where they can’t go anywhere else, but the label refuses to do anything with them. Like being locked in an apartment with an abusive ex who wont let you leave. Sound terrifying? You should be terrified. And THAT is why less and less artists are signing on to be record label pawns.Check out Jared Leto’s documentary called “Artifact” about his band’s fight with his label. Very eye opening.
What are your favorite independent record labels?
Hey Lovenrckts. I know I'm going to shock you with this answer, but it's all about the Matador! They've got Stephen Malkmus, Belle and Sebastian, Mogwai, and Yo La Tengo to name a few. They've also had groups like Pavement, Guided by Voices, the Boards of Canada, F*ck, the Fall, Interpol, Tobin Sprout, Liz Phair and the John Spencer Blues Explosion. The other one that for me is worth mentioning (though I'm not sure it's an independent. Didn't they get purchased by Geffen at some point or something like that?). Their roster includes (former and present together): Iron and Wine, the Shins, Band of Horses, Arlo, Jeremy Enigk, the Fruit Bats, the Fastbacks, Godhead Silo, Sebadoh, Jason Loewenstein, David Cross, Nirvana, Sunny Day Real Estate, the Postal Service, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (at least BSSM was released on sub pop which along with Mothers Milk are the ones that really count for me). Wasn't Sleater-Kinney on Sub-Pop for a little bit too? Actually, I knew about a lot of these, but man, Sub-Pop has an even better thing going than I initially thought. Happy Thursday. ********************** I actually took them for granted too, as far as being on the label. I took a quick look at the roster before I made the list. I actually had no idea about the Fruit Bats or the Jeremy Enigk projects being on that label. Pretty neat. ******************* Thanks lovenrckts for leaving it for me. Lord knows I love me some Matador Records. You know though, somehow I've never heard Helium. I'll definately have to correct that. Good call on Kill Rock Stars (sorry, I'm a space cadet and I have already forgotten your name). They gave us Elliott Smith which I will always be greatful for. Whoa, and apparently Deerhoof, the Decemberists, Godhead Silo, Karp, the Tight Bros, Imaad Wassif, and the Advantage. Apparently I need to pay a little more attention to who puts stuff out.
Do artist still get paid if they are with a record label?
Yes and no.Yes - an artist earns money when their record sells (via an artist royalty). The record company will pay them a percentage based on album/download/streaming income provided they had no “advance”.No - if they received an advance upfront (say $50,000 to record the album + living expenses + etc.) and they have not yet recouped (paid back) the label’s investment. The $50k is a loan and they won’t earn additional money from record sales until that money is paid back.It’s very likely Alan Jackson recouped any advance for his past records.An artist will typically earn more if they control their recording rights, have their own distribution, and don’t have any middlemen (label) in the equation. This Mic write-up about Chance the Rapper explains in greater depth the DIY-ethos and how it positively impacts revenue. Alan did launch his own imprint (Alan’s Country Records) in 2011[1] as a joint-venture with EMI Nashville, meaning he likely has greater control over his recordings than most other artists.Today in the United States, an artist AND their record label are NOT paid for any radio play. They’re only paid for album sales, downloads, and streams. The United States is one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t have a “performance royalty” on sound recordings. The songwriter + music publishers are paid. The label + artist are not from such usage.An artist earns money if they’ve recouped their initial advance, OR they’ve not had an advance to begin with. Artists typically earn more money from merchandise, touring, and other streams than album sales alone.People who say “artists don’t earn any money” are misguided. They don’t earn money if they’ve been locked into a crappy contract. They do earn money if they have leverage in their deal and can negotiate a favorable deal, or do it themselves.Footnotes[1] Thirty Miles West - Wikipedia
Can two bands from different record labels tour together?
Yeah.